Cricket: O'Brien tipped for NZ return

Iain O'Brien. Photo / Mark Mitchell

It would rate among the more unlikely international comebacks, but fast-medium bowler Iain O'Brien is being quietly courted for a return to New Zealand cricket.

O'Brien, 34, retired from international cricket after last season's home series against Pakistan.

He set off for England, and signed a contract with Middlesex but an eligibility complication has raised the possibility of the Wellington bowler returning to New Zealand.

New Zealand captain Dan Vettori has kept in contact with O'Brien, who was restricted, partly by injury, to seven first-class games for Middlesex this year, one domestic T20 game and one limited-overs match.

O'Brien, who has an English wife, signed a three-year deal with Middlesex, the last two years of which were conditional on his being able to qualify as a domestic player.

"In the contract was a clause that gave Middlesex an option to terminate the agreement should the club's requirements change and if Iain's attempts to qualify as a local player failed," Middlesex chief executive Vinny Codrington said.

The issue with the England and Wales Cricket Board has proved "problematic" for O'Brien, according to Codrington, leaving the player in "an extremely difficult position contractually".

In his 22 tests, O'Brien, from an unpromising beginning, took 73 wickets at 33.27, but was the national team's most reliable seamer in his final season, taking 38 wickets in his last 10 tests.

"We've stayed in touch," Vettori said. " We'd love to have him back, fitness and form permitting. It would be good to have him back in the mix."